Splicing mechanism for knitting-machines.



No. 69!,686, Patented Jan. 2:, I902;

F. 'WILCOMB. I SPucma MECHANISM FOR KNIT-TING MACHINES (Application filed Apr. 24, 1901 (No Model.)

2 Sheets- 8nd I.

ii I w 0 fiAN/f VV/LCOMB No. 69l, 686. Patented Ian. 2|, I902.

F. WILCOMB. SPLIOING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

(Application filed Apr. 24, 1901. (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK \VILOOMB, OF NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPLICING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,686, dated January 21, 1902.

Application filed April 24, 1901. Serial No. 57,301 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK WILCOMB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norristown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Splicing Mechanism for Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to splicing attachments for knitting-machines and is an improvement upon that form of attachment disclosed by me in Letters Patent of the United States granted to me April 10, 1900, No. 347349; In that attachmentI provide means whereby therapidly-moving main thread was made to contact with the loose end of the splicing-thread to carry it into the fabric when the splicing is to be done. Whilein my present attachment I still use this action, I aim to provide a structure and arrangement by which the loose end of the splicingthread will never be shorter than alength determined upon as necessary to insure the splicingthread being engaged and carried into the fabric by the main thread when the latter is moved to contact therewith. In other words, I aim to have the splicing-thread when broken out of the fabric provided with a loose end which will reach from the clamp at least to a predetermined point toward the needles which is sufficient to insure contact with the main thread when the latter is moved to engage and carry it to the needles.

As is well known, if yarn is subjected to direct pull between two points it is liable to break at any place intermediate of those points. I have found, however, that if the yarn is held in contact with a curved surface and its free end is pulled upon it will not break at any point where it is supported by the said curved surface, but at someplace between its last point of contact. and the pulling-point. This principle has been utilized by me in the present improvement by providing a curved or rounded surface over which the splicing-thread passes on its way to the needles, so that when the splicing-thread is clamped to be broken out of the fabric it will break at some place between the curved surface and the needles, which represent the pulling-point. By this means there will always be left a predetermined length, at least, of

the splicing-thread between the clamp and the needles to afford sufficient contact with the main yarn to render certain the feeding in of the splicing-thread. By my present arrangement a deflected or bent course is obtained for the yarn between the clamping-point and the needles, and when the main yarn is moved into contact with the splicing-yarn it is laid along this bent or rounded course, and the tendency of the yarn to straighten out between the point of pull and the guiding-point insures a firm pressure of the main thread on the splicing-thread, with the result that the splicing-thread will always be carried into the fabric at the time desired. In my pres ent improvement I have sought to arrange the parts so as to facilitate threading, and for this purpose theclamping-parts are located at one side of the attachment, where they are readily accessible,and the course of the thread may be fully exposed by separating the clamping members.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a 'front view of the improved attachment. Fig. 2 is a side view showing it in relation to the cap-plate of the knitting-head to which it is secured and to the needles. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with parts omitted and other parts in section. Fig. 4 is'a View similar to Fig. 3with the parts in a diflerent position from that of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail View of some of the parts in the position of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 1. Fig.7isa detail view' looking from the left of Fig. 1. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the principle upon which the invention is based. Fig. 10 is a view of a modification.

The attachment is secured to the knittinghead in any suitable manner, but preferably by a bracket a, secured to the cap b of the knitting-head. The bracket a has screwed thereto the thread-guide 0, provided with the by a plate or link secured thereto by screws. Upon these rods :1. block his adapted to slide freely, being operated by a link or rod i, Figs.

1, 5, and 6, from some part of the machine.

lower part of the supplemental bracket, and

a slot Z therein receives the elongated head m of a pin '21, journaled in the block, so that as the block moves outwardly the sweep-arm will be swung downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 4, and a reverse movement of the block will return the sweep-arm to the elevated position shown in Fig. 2. The sweep-arm carries guide-eyes 1 2 for the main and splicing threads, respectively. A movable guide and clamping arm 0 for the splicing-thread is pivoted upon the same pin 29 which pivotally holds the sweeparm. This clamping-arm is under tension of a spring q, which is coiled around the pin p and has its free end engaging a pin r on the clamping-arm to press the same upwardly. The clamping-arm is provided with a guideopening 3 for the splicing-thread and at its inner end with a curved V-shaped channel 6, presenting a rounded path or surface adjacent to the main-yarn guide-eye d and over which the splicing-thread passes to be supported at all times thereon. The clampingarm is moved downwardly to release the splicing-thread when splicing is to be done by a cam-surface u on the block 72., which engages the extension 12 of the pin 9', carried by the clamping-arm, and forces the same downwardly when the block moves outwardly.

Immediately above the clamping-arm a clamping-foot w is arranged in fixed position to cooperate with the movable clamping-arm to clamp and hold the splicing-thread when plain knitting is to be done. The upwardlyextending arm :10 of the clamping foot is screwed to the arm of the thread-guide c. This foot is slotted at y for the passage of the main thread. The course of the main thread is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. It passes first through the eye 5 of the guide-arm 6, which is formed of an extension of the threadguide 0, thence through the eye 1 of the sweep arm or carrier, then through the slotted clamping-foot and the V- shaped groove or channel '6 in the clamping-arm, and finally through the thread-eye d to the needles, as shown in Fig. 5. The splicing-thread passes from the guide-tube 8 laterally at an inclination to the guide-eye 2 of the sweep or carrier, and from this point it passes through the channel 3 of the clamping-arm and thence between the clamping face or edge 10 of the clamping-arm and the clamping-foot, and from here it is deflected out of its straight course and extends downwardly over the curved surface of the channel 25, lying closely against the bottom of the V-shaped groove. From the groove the splicing-thread passes through the thread guide or eye (I to the needles, it lying just below the main yarn. Figs. 2 and 3 represent the positions of the parts when only the main thread is passing to the fabric, the splicing-thread being broken and held by the clamping parts, with a stationary loose end supported on the curved surface or groove. It will be noticed that the loose end of the splicing-thread extends over a curved surface between the clamping parts and the needles. This arrangement insures a loose end being left when the splicing-thread is broken out sufficiently long to be eaught'and carried into the fabric when the main thread is moved so as to contact therewith.

The principle upon which this portion of my invention is based is illustratedin Figs. 8 and 9. If the yarn is subjected toa direct pull, as indicated in Fig. 8, it is liable to break at any place between the point at which it is held [shown on the left ofthe figure) and the pullingpoint, (represented by the fingers at the right,) and the rupture is just as liable to occur close up to the clamping or holding point, as indicated at 11, Fig. 8, as at any other place,which would leave practically no loose end or one too short for the purpose. It is my object to render certain the breaking of the splicingthread at a distance from the clamping-point, said distance being never less than that determined upon as necessary to provide the length of loose end required, though it may be more.

Referring to Fig. 9, the yarn is represented as clamped by the finger upon a rounded or curved surface and extending from said clamping-point around said curved surface in contacttherewith forsomedistance. Bypulling upon the free end it will be found that the thread will not break at the points where it contacts with the curved surface, but at some point where it is free from said contact and support, (indicated, for instance, at 12, which, though close to the rounded surface, will leave a considerable length of loose end.) This is due to the fact that the frictional contact is suificient to more than offset any inequalities in the strength of the yarn.

Figs. 3 and 4 represent how the invention is carried out practically. The splicing-thread passes, as before described, over the curved path or surface afforded by the bottom of the channel 25, and when the clamp-arm is operated to grasp the thread the pull at the needles will cause the breakage of the thread. The point of rupture will always be between the needles and the point at which the thread leaves the curved surface, so that at all times a loose end of splicingthread will be left which will be at least as long as is necessary to extend over the rounded surface. Generally the breaking-point of the splicing-yarn is at the top of the needle-cylinder or where the stitch is made; but when using extremely fine yarn it frequently happens that owing to irregularities in strength the yarn will break at some other point, sometimes close to the e ress clamps, and at the next opening of the clamps V the end becomes lost and no splicing can take place until again threaded by the operator. I overcome this irregular breaking as above described. Whensplicing is to be resumed, the block his moved outwardly, thus causing the clamping-arm to be depressed by the camsurface and the loose end of the splicingthread released. 'At the same time the sweeparm carrying the main thread is swung outwardly, and the rapidly-moving main thread is thus pressed down upon the splicing-thread firmly, and owing to the curved or bent course for the threads the contact will be stronger and more certain by reason of the natural tendency of the main yarn to straighten out between the eyes 1 and d. This contact of the main yarn against the splicing-yarn takes place first nearest the broken end of the splicing-yarn and then gradually increasing the contact-surface until sufficient grip on the splicing-yarn is secured to carry it to the needles, thus avoiding any liability of the broken end becoming doubled or looped, and thus tending to straighten the broken end, which will then go to the needles without becoming looped or bunched. The sweep-arm or carrier performs an additional function in that it provides slack in the splicing-thread at the time the splicing action is to take place and the loose end is to be caught and carried into the fabric by the main thread. At this time it is of course desirable that the loose end be as free .from restraint or backward strain as possible, and this is effected by causing the sweep-arm to hold the splicing-thread, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, normally out of a straight line drawn between the guide-tube and the clamp-arm, this position being assu med when knitting plain. When, however, the splicing-thread is to be thrown in, the outward movement of the sweep-arm to carry the main thread into contact with the loose end of the splicing-thread'will at once provide a slack portion of the splicing-thread by freeing it from lateral pull, and this action takes place at the same time the clamp releases the splicing-thread.

Instead of pressing the clamping-arm upwardly by the spring, arranged as shown in Figs. 1 to 7, I may in some instances provide a spring-pressed plunger 13, Fig. 10, the upper end of which normally engages a notch or recess 17 in the lower edge of the clampingarm 0. This plunger is carried by a barrel 14, pivoted to a bracket or post 15, secured to the knitting-head (represented generally at 16) in any desired manner. The plunger is pressed upwardly by a' spring 17 in the barrel. By moving the barrel inwardly on its pivot, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, the clamp-arm is freeto swing downwardly onits .pivot. The plunger will now engage with another notch 18 in theedge of the clamp-arm, and it will now be held in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10. In this position of the clamp-arm the attachment can be readily threaded. While this arrangement facili tates threading, it will be observed that threading may be easily done in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the clamp-arm being simply pressed down against the pressure of its spring for this purpose.

a view to render the operation of threading easy and rapid. In both forms the sliding block h is arranged at one side of the attachment and-the clamping parts are left exposed at the other side and access may be had to the difierent parts of the course of the threads. By reason of the V shape of the pathway for the threads the mainthread will be pressed firmly upon the splicing-thread, the inclined walls of the groove directing both the threads close together at the bottom of the groove.

I do not wish to restrict myself to the manner of bringing the main and splicing threads into and out of contact, as this may be done in other ways while still preserving the chief features of my invention.

I do not wish to limit myself to the arrangement of the curved or rounded surface for the splicing-thread on the clamping-arm. This performs a function independent of the clamping-arm; but I prefer to support this curved surface on the clamping-arm itself.

In order to provide for the knitting of slack stitches where the splicing-thread is thrown into work, a pivoted arm 23 is provided, similar to that shown in my former patent, pivoted to the bracket 6 and operated by a lug The parts have been arranged in both forms particularly with 26, carried by the block it, said arm 23 bearing upon the pin 25, which connects with the stitch-cam.

I claim as my invention 1. In combination in a splicing device for knitting-machines, clamping means for the splicing-thread, a thread-bending surface between the same and the needles whereby the splicing-thread is bent on its way to the needles to be broken between said surface and the needles by the pull from the latter, and means for moving the, main thread into and out of contact with the loose end of the splicing-thread lying on said surface, substantially as described. I

2.-In combination in a splicing device for knitting-machines, a main thread-eye for guiding both the splicing and main threads to the needles, clamping means for the splicing-thread, a thread-bending surface for the splicing-thread between the clamping means and the main thread-eye over which surface the splicing-thread is bent, and means for moving the main thread into contact with the splicing-thread, substantially as described.

3. In combination in a'splicing device for TIO knitting-machines, a main thread eye for guiding both the splicing and main threads to the needles, clamping means for the splicing-thread, a curved bearing-surface for the moving the main thread into contact with the splicing-thread, substantially as described.

4. In combination in a splicing device for knitting-machines, clamping means for the splicing-thread, a bearing-surface over which the splicing thread is bent between the clamping means and the needles, and guiding means for the main thread, said main thread being also bent over said surface and in contact with the splicing-thread when the latter is being fed to the needles, said guiding means being movable to move the main thread toward and from said surface, substantially as described.

5. In combination, clamping means for the splicing-thread, a thread-eye for guiding both the main and splicing threads to the needles, asupporting-surface between the clamping means and the thread eye curving downwardly from the clamp and under the path of the splicingthread extending to the said thread-eye said splicing-thread being bent or curved by contact with said surface, and resting with its loose end on said curved surface when broken out of work, substantially as described.

6. In combination in splicing mechanism for knitting machines, clamping means, means for providing a curved path for one of the threads between the clamping means and the needles over which path the thread passes on its way to the needles and upon which the loose end of the splicing-thread rests and means for bringing the two threads together on said curved path and for separating said threads leaving one on said curved path, substantially as described.

7. In combination in a splicing attachment for knitting-machines, a clamping-arm for the splicing-thread having thereon between the clamping-point and the position of the needles a pathway for the said thread upon which it rests, and means for causing the main and splicing threads to engage each other on said pathway, substantially as described.

8. In combination in splicing mechanism for knitting-machines, a movable clamping member for the splicing-thread having thereon a pathway on which the splicing-thread rests between the clamping-point and the position of the needles whereby upon movement of the said member the way will be exposed for threading and means for bringing the splicing and main threads together on said way and for separating them, substantially as described.

9. In combination in asplicing mechanism for knitting-machines, means for moving the main yarn into contact with the splicing-yarn, said means being arranged on one side of the attachment and the clamp for the splicingthread arranged on the other side of the attachment with the pathway for the thread between the clamping-faces exposed laterally, substantially as described.

10. In combination in a splicing mechanism for knitting machines, the sliding block through the operation of which the threads are moved together or separated, a clamp for the splicing-thread arranged laterally in respect to the said block, and means for operating the block, substantially as described.

11. In combination, the guide-eye for the threads, a vertically-movable clamping member having a pathway thereon between the clamping-point and the guide-eye to direct the thread to the guide-eye and means for causing the main and splicing threads to engage and disengage on said pathway, substantially as described.

12. In combination, the guide-eye for the threads, a vertically-movable clamping member having a pathway upon which a loose end of the splicing-thread bears when broken and means for moving the main thread to engage and disengage the splicing-thread, said pathway being located between the clamping-point and the guide-eye and the engagement and disengagement of the threads taking place on said pathway, substantially as described.

13. In combination, the clamp, the bearing-surface between the clamping-point and the needles over which the splicing-thread passes on its way to the needles and means moving over a curved path for laying the main thread on the splicing-thread held on said bearing, substantially as described.

ll. In combination, the bearing-surface for the splicing-thread, means for holding the said thread thereon with its end loose, and a sweep-arm pivotally supported for laying the main thread on said bearing-surface, substantially as described.

15. In combination, a clamp, the curved bearing-surface for the splicing-thread between the clamping-point and the needles and the pivoted sweep for laying the main thread on the splicing-thread held on said surface with means foroperating the sweep, substantially as described.

16. In combination, the bearing-surface for the splicing-thread, the pivoted sweep for the main thread to lay it on the splicing-thread, and a reciprocating block with operating means therefor, said block being connected with the sweep, substantially as described.

17. In combination, the bearingsurface over which the splicing-thread passes, a reciprocating block and a sweep interposed between said block and said bearing-surface and operated by the block, said sweep controlling the main thread, substantially as described.

18. In combinationinasplicingattachment for knitting-machines, a vertically-movable clamping member, a fixed clamping member above the movable member, the main guideeye, the said clamping members being exposed at one side of the attachment with the course for the thread exposed laterally and means for controlling the main thread, said fixed clamping member being slotted for the passage of the main thread, substantially as described.

19. In combination, the movable clamping member, the sweep-arm for the main thread, and a sliding block for operating said sweeparm and clamping member, substantially as described.

20. In combination, the clamping means for the splicing-thread, a sweep-arm for controlling the main thread, said sweep-arm being adapted also to draw slack in the splicingthread, substantially as described.

21. In combination, a bearing-surface for the splicing-thread for bending it from a straight line and means for bringing the main and splicing threads together and gradually increasing the length of contact between them on said surface, said contact being that of wrapping the main thread about said surface, substantially as described.

22. In combination,the reciprocating block, a clamping-arm arranged laterally thereof, an interposed sweep, operated from the block and the said clamp also being operated from the said block, substantially as described.

23. In combination, the clamping means for the splicing-thread, a spring for pressing the clamping parts. together, means for automatically opening the clamping parts against the spring pressure and means whereby the spring-pressure may be temporarily withdrawn so that the clamping parts may remain separated, substantially as described.

24. In combination in asplicing mechanism for knitting-machines, clamping means for the clamping members and adjustable springpressed means for holding the clamp either open or closed, substantially as described.

25. In combination in a splicing device for knitting-machines, a main thread-eye for guiding both the splicing and main threads to the needles, clamping means for the splicing-thread, a curved bearing-surface for the splicing-thread between the clamping means and the main thread-eye over which surface the splicing-thread is bent and upon which the loose end of the splicing-thread rests and means for bringing the main and splicing threads together on said surface and for separating them from each other, substantially as described.

26. In combination with the clamp for the splicing-thread, an adjustable spring-pressed plunger for holding the clamp either open or closed, substantially as described.

, 27. In combination with the pivoted clamp for the splicing-thread, a clamping-arm having the two notches and a swinging springpressed plunger for engaging either one or the other for holding the clamping-arm closed or open, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK \VILCOMB.

Witnesses:

CARRIE G. CoRsoN, HAROLD OoRsoN. 

